Probate office still not signed for

crikaus

I sent a relatives will (probate done online) via royal mail signed for last Wednesday, as of today (Tuesday) there's no change in the tracking, are the Harlow probate office not signing for these or would there be another problem? 

parcival

I would ring Harlow.
I sent a will by Royal Mail Special Delivery a few weeks ago and the tracking stated 'Delivered' next day.

Dox

Royal Mail is all over the place at present. I wouldn't get too worried just yet. Are you sure the office is physically open - i.e. someone is there to sign for it?

crikaus

Dox said:

Royal Mail is all over the place at present. I wouldn't get too worried just yet. Are you sure the office is physically open - i.e. someone is there to sign for it?

The address is HMCTS, CM20 9QE
I have no idea how they operate and sign. I would be surprised if each individual item is signed for, maybe just one signature per day for the whole that turns up, but that would still show the signature, even if its CV19, its seems strange the tracking has not updated, though not impossible that's it's arrived and not been signed for. 

I tried to phoning 0300 303 0648 but could not get through.

Keep_pedalling

crikaus said:

Dox said:

Royal Mail is all over the place at present. I wouldn't get too worried just yet. Are you sure the office is physically open - i.e. someone is there to sign for it?

The address is HMCTS, CM20 9QE
I have no idea how they operate and sign. I would be surprised if each individual item is signed for, maybe just one signature per day for the whole that turns up, but that would still show the signature, even if its CV19, its seems strange the tracking has not updated, though not impossible that's it's arrived and not been signed for. 

I tried to phoning 0300 303 0648 but could not get through.

With CV19 RM are no longer obtaining signatures, although the system should be updated with a confirmation of delivery, although for signed for that often does not happen. Also signed for is not tracked through the system, for that you need special delivery.

crikaus

Called today after holding for 20 minutes (not as bad as I expected) gave details and they confirmed envelope arrived and on their system, so that's a relief and learned next time(!) post via special delivery

Vasquez65

What would you have done had the will been lost?
I’ve just sent my Dad’s will in,  I sent it SD with £10k of insurance for consequential losses. It was well worth the £10 extra. 
God knows how much it would cost for a Solicitor, not to mention the ensuing hassle and time,  if an original will is lost.
I can only assume it was a small estate (in monetary terms?). 

parcival

Absolutely - documents of this type must go Special Delivery minimum. Recorded delivery just goes in with the ordinary mail and is more easily 'lost'.

crikaus

Vasquez65 said:

What would you have done had the will been lost?
I’ve just sent my Dad’s will in,  I sent it SD with £10k of insurance for consequential losses. It was well worth the £10 extra. 
God knows how much it would cost for a Solicitor, not to mention the ensuing hassle and time,  if an original will is lost.
I can only assume it was a small estate (in monetary terms?). 

But I don't expect Royal Mail website to malfunction, what percent actually send their item via special delivery to probate office? I'm assuming it's only a small percentage, certainly less than then those that don't. 
In any case even with special delivery or any delivery for that matter if it's lost its lost for good, RM will give a book of stamps for your trouble.

badmemory

Sending the only original copy of a will - I decided special delivery was the only option & I thought that was risky enough!